There will be a celebration on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. with special guest musicians from Jamestown who will lead a Swedish Folk Mass.

Everyone is invited to join in this special service remembering 170 years as a congregation in Chandlers Valley. Hessel Valley began in 1854 as a place where Swedish Lutheran immigrants new to America could find a space to worship and socialize in their own language. The story starts with immigrants from a town called Hessleby coming to America in search of a better life. They arrived in Buffalo completely broke and unable to continue to Missouri as planned. A couple named Johnson put their two little girls in a “poorhouse” in Buffalo so they could survive the winter. The Johnsons planned to look for work and return when they could care for them. The two little girls, ages 7 and 9, respectively, were indentured separately as house servants for the Struthers family in Warren and the Falconer family in Sugar Grove.

The Johnsons did return. They discovered where the girls had gone and walked 90 miles from Hamburg, N.Y., to Warren County to see them. The Johnsons discovered that their daughters were in grand households with an agreement that they would be fed, clothed and educated and at the age of 18, they would be given their freedom and $50. They were impressed and relieved to see their children would be taken care of into adulthood. The Johnsons were also impressed by the land in Sugar Grove and decided to settle there and invited their fellow immigrants to join them. Many did come. There were about 250 Swedes in Chandlers Valley by 1854. They would live the American dream of owning land and building homes. Many more would come and some would continue on to Jamestown from Chandlers Valley. Hessel Valley would become known as the “mother church” of the Swedes in the area and later to First Lutheran Church in Jamestown. It is considered to be the oldest Lutheran Church in continual use this side of the Mississippi.

Hessel Valley’s historical significance in Swedish/American history was internationally recognized in 1976 when King Carl Gustav chose Hessel Valley Lutheran Church in Warren County to visit as part of his American tour during the Bicentennial Year. Many Warren County and Jamestown residents remember all the festivities and preparations surrounding King Carl’s visit.

The church has seen a period of growth and is giving away money to support the community.

“Hessel Valley takes pride in its history and is always excited to welcome visitors and show them around,” church officials said in a news release. “In the sanctuary, over the painting of Jesus’ Ascension, there is a painted question in Swedish for the congregation to answer each week. “Do You Believe in God’s Son?” Worship services were still in Swedish until the 1930s. King Carl Gustav’s chair is still there. The church is very much like it was originally, although there is now electricity and indoor restrooms.”

Hessel Valley is also quick to share the way their story and mission continue even though the community around them has changed dramatically. They have managed to do something extraordinary for a rural church founded to serve a population no longer present. About 20 years ago membership dwindled to about 10. Church members agonized, prayed and reemerged with a new mission and vision focused on service to the community. The church has grown since, giving away money to support the community and growing the congregation to about 45 on a Sunday. They put on dinners several times a year where all the food is donated and every penny collected is given to support someone in need. Most of the time they do not know the recipients personally. Church members hear about a need in the county and do what they can to help.

“Times change, communities change and church missions change with them,” church officials said. “Hessel Valley is continually looking for ways to be faithful and fill needs as they are able. They began an outreach for seniors in their area who need both a meal and good company and they now feed about 40 people monthly at no cost to those who attend. Again, all the food is donated. Hessel Valley believes in using its funds in service and most of what comes in goes right back out to the community.”

The community is invited to the Oct. 27 worship service to share in the church’s 170th birthday celebration with a Swedish folk mass, celebrating the church’s immigrant history and evolving mission. There will be soup, sandwiches, and a variety of desserts served after the service.

Pictured is the church altar.